AJ to make boxing return this year as two-fight Tyson Fury plan emerges
EXCLUSIVE: Anthony Joshua is recovering from elbow surgery but his team are plotting his ring return for late in 2025 after preferred opponent was ruled out due to being picked for Saudi fight
Anthony Joshua is plotting a return late this year - with old rival Deontay Wilder on a shortlist of potential opponents.
The British heavyweight star has not fought since he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in an IBF title clash last September.
But now 'AJ' - who is recovering from elbow surgery - is plotting his path to a Tyson Fury double-header next year and American Wilder is one option promoter Eddie Hearn is looking at.
Wilder, 39, is returning to the ring next week against Tyrrell Herndon as he looks to shake off back-to-back defeats by Joseph Parker and Zhilei Zhang amid retirement calls.
Hearn said: 'I don't see why not. I mean, we'd take that fight in October, November, December. It's still dangerous. Like someone said to me, oh, you think he'll be in a dangerous fight? I said, they're all f***ing dangerous, mate.
"We want to fight Fury. And the plan for us is to fight October, November or December, and then fight Tyson twice. Or certainly once. And I can't see that fight not happening. As long as AJ comes through at the end of the year.'
Joshua and Wilder were in talks around 2018 for what would have been an undisputed heavyweight title clash between two unbeaten fights but discussions broke down.
American Jared Anderson, German Agit Kabayel and Efe Ajagba are other names Hearn is considering for Joshua's return. Former foe Dillian Whyte was in contention until he was matched with highly-rated star Moses Itauma for an August showdown in Saudi Arabia.
Joshua is now 35 and has four defeats on his record after earlier career losses to Andy Ruiz Jnr and Oleksandr Usyk twice. Hearn believes 2026 will be the London 2012 Olympic champion's final year in the sport but won't rule out retirement earlier if he doesn't shine in his return bout later in 2025.
The Matchroom chief added: 'The proof will be this fight. Like I said the other day, 2026 will probably be his last year in the sport.
'But this next fight will tell us everything. You know what I mean? If camp doesn't go well, if the performance isn't of the same level, you have to evaluate after each fight. The moment you don't look good in camp or don't start sparring well that's when you have to think about your position. But that's not happened yet.'
Chris Eubank Jr will face Conor Benn in a rematch either on September 20 or October 4 after the September 27 date was ruled out due to the Premier League fixtures. Tottenham are at home to Wolves on the original date.
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